Why it matters:
A renewed escalation between Washington and Caracas could destabilize the Caribbean, derail diplomatic channels, and inject a volatile foreign-policy crisis into an already polarized U.S. political environment.
The big picture:
Trump has revived hardline rhetoric on Venezuela, insisting the “military option” remains on the table. Maduro says U.S. factions — both opponents and people within Trump’s own circle — are trying to provoke him into a disastrous intervention that could politically backfire.
What he is saying:
Maduro, in his weekly television program, warned that:
A U.S. attack would mark “the end of Trump’s political life.”
U.S. elites are using two issues — the Jeffrey Epstein scandal and Venezuela — to weaken or destroy Trump.
Hardliners want to push Trump into “the biggest mistake of his life” by triggering a war with Caracas.
Weeks of pressure and threats have strengthened Venezuela’s armed forces and unified the public.
He added that Venezuela’s military doctrine is entirely defensive and that recent nationwide exercises are intended solely to protect the country’s sovereignty. Maduro also said he is willing to meet Trump face to face, even as Washington publicly speaks of pursuing dialogue but simultaneously moves toward designating the group it calls the “Cartel of the Suns” as a terrorist organization — a label Caracas calls fabricated and politically motivated.
Key points:
M.Majdi - ahmad shirzadian
